Abstract: Based on field survey data, the regeneration characteristics of pinus tabulaeformis forest gaps in comparison with those tree speciesunder canopies was investigated. The result showed that(1)There are obvious difference in the quality and composition of the regeneration trees, species in gaps and under canopies inPinus tabulaeformis forest in Zi Wu Moutains, the important value of the Pinustabulaeformis under forest gaps is superior to that under canopies, which is the majorregeneration tree species in gaps. (2) There is better growth under forestgaps of seedlings and young trees of Pinus tabulaeformis. There are a few Pinustabulaeformis saplings above 7 years old under canopies,the number distribution of saplings above 1.0cm in collar diameter and above 50cm in height in gaps is superior that under canopies too. It shows that the survival rate of pinus tabulaeformis seedlings and saplings in gaps is superior to that under canopies with age increasing.(3)Variance analysis showes that the height variance of pinus tabulaeformis has obvious difference between forest gaps and canopies.(4)Relationship analysis shows there is anobvious and positive relationship between the Pinus tabulaeformis seedlings numbers and illumination intensity, but a negative relationship between this and vegetation coverage.

Key words: Pinus tabulaeformis, forest gaps, regeneration characteristics